Air pollution can cause long term and short term effects.
Some long term effects can include:
lung cancer
heart disease
chronic respiratory disease
damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, and nerves.
Some short term effects can include:
irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and upper respiratory infections
headaches
nausea
allergic reactions
Air pollution can also aggravate individuals with asthma and emphysema.
Carbon Monoxide
Coming in contact with carbon monoxide can cause mild headaches and breathlessness with moderate exercise. Continued exposure can cause flu-like symptoms including severe headaches, dizziness, tiredness, and nausea that may progress to confusion, irritability, and impaired judgment, memory and coordination.
Lead
If lead gets into the body it can cause damage to the brain and nervous system, behavior and learning problems, slowed growth and hearing problems in children. In adults, lead can cause reproductive problems, high blood pressure, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems and muscle and joint pain. However, babies are more highly affected because their growing bodies absorb more lead and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to damage.
Some long term effects can include:
- lung cancer
- heart disease
- chronic respiratory disease
- damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, and nerves.
Some short term effects can include:- irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and upper respiratory infections
- headaches
- nausea
- allergic reactions
Air pollution can also aggravate individuals with asthma and emphysema.Carbon Monoxide
Coming in contact with carbon monoxide can cause mild headaches and breathlessness with moderate exercise. Continued exposure can cause flu-like symptoms including severe headaches, dizziness, tiredness, and nausea that may progress to confusion, irritability, and impaired judgment, memory and coordination.
Lead
If lead gets into the body it can cause damage to the brain and nervous system, behavior and learning problems, slowed growth and hearing problems in children. In adults, lead can cause reproductive problems, high blood pressure, nerve disorders, memory and concentration problems and muscle and joint pain. However, babies are more highly affected because their growing bodies absorb more lead and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to damage.
Kayla Oster, Angel Ahlbrandt, and Kaitlin Plesce